Floating moss(Salvinia natans)

This pretty floating plant is suitable for both freshwater aquariums and ponds. It is very popular with many fish and shellfish. It has interesting oxygenating and purifying properties, but watch out for its multiplication!

Who is the Floating moss?

This plant is divided into three parts: a "transformed" leaf captures the nutrients in the water, while the other two remaining on the surface do a photosynthesis work.

Ideal for sifting the lighting of your aquarium or to protect your pool from too much sunlight. In fact, Salvinia forms a vegetal carpet on the surface of the water. It will provide security and shade to underwater species. This advantage may be a defect, however, because if it completely covers the surface of the water, it prevents the light from spreading to the bottom of the pond / aquarium, which can be detrimental to other plants. It is therefore necessary to control its multiplication.

In aquarium it offers a hiding place for fry, a support for bubble nests (Betta Splendens, Gourami ...) and a supply of food because the infusoria grows easily. It will also fight against the proliferation of algae.

In the pool, it is its functions of oxygenation, purification and shading of water that will be appreciated.

How to plant and maintain the Floating moss?

Salvinia is a floating plant that is deposited on the surface of the water (without attachment to the substrate). It enjoys quiet places without much power.

Its favorite place will be the sunny pool. Under these conditions, it will thrive so much that it can sometimes be difficult to control its spread. However, it will be very beneficial to its environment (by filtering and oxygenating the water).

On the maintenance side, not much to do with this extremely easy plant: it will be enough to control its spread by removing the excess plant. However, the farming of this plant remains controllable if it is removed regularly.

If the leaves of Salvinia become pale, it suffers from a lack of nutrients. You can use a special fertilizer aquatic plant (for dosage, refer to the instructions).

Good to Know

It is quite sensitive to transportation. If you order your Salvinia in a remote shop that sends it to you, they may come to you brown. Rinse them and put them in your aquarium/pond. They should return to their colour after a few days.

The Salvinia will resist very well the heat and the sun. On the other hand, it is less resistant to cold snaps. In the pond, keep it in the shelter before the first frosts and introduce it as early as May.